Sports Columnists

By Tyler

December 6, 2006 10:58 AM | Link to this

Terence, I have a question for you. What has Croom really done at Mississippi State?

By Fan

December 6, 2006 10:59 AM | Link to this

Why would Alabama take a coach that hasn’t taken Miss St. to a bowl game? They want a proven winner. Croom might be a winner, but his record doesn’t reflect that yet.

By mreaves

December 6, 2006 11:00 AM | Link to this

Hmmmm…Food for thought!

By chris

December 6, 2006 11:04 AM | Link to this

When are the people in Alabama going to realize they are not in the 1970’s of Bear Bryant(when he recurited everyone and gave out hundreds of schlorships). Times have changed and more schools are now more competitive. Alabama is a joke of having some many coaches. They will settle for some coordinator at some school because no one in their right mind will come to such a joke of school

By Gordon

December 6, 2006 11:05 AM | Link to this

Shouldn’t Croom succeed in his current job before he gets a promotion to a more prominent program? He hasn’t exactly set the world on fire at Mississippi State. Maybe he will, but that is yet to be determined.

What do the following have to do with being a successful head coach at Alabama: 1) Being born and raised in Tuscaloosa, 2) Winning SEC Championships as a player under The Bear, 3) Having a father who was a team chaplain under The Bear, 4) Having a yearly commitment to excellence award being named in your honor. The answers: 1) Nothing, 2) Nothing, 3) Nothing, 4) Nothing.

The text leading you to this article states “Without dragging race into the equation, Moore points out why Croom should get a chance at Alabama”. That’s nonsense. Moore is still bitter about Shula being hired over Croom. Croom has yet to prove that was a bad decision, and if he wasn’t black Moore wouldn’t have anything to say about it.

By Dwalk

December 6, 2006 11:07 AM | Link to this

I don’t think you guys get the point!!!!

By vmr

December 6, 2006 11:07 AM | Link to this

Sign him up. He couldn’t possibly do any worst than Shula.

By sonnyliv

December 6, 2006 11:09 AM | Link to this

WHY DOES EVERYTHING YOU WRITE HAVE TO HAVE A BLACK—WHITE ISSUE, OH I KNOW—BECAUSE YOU ARE A RACIST

By Scott

December 6, 2006 11:11 AM | Link to this

Your column should be titled: Tide Should Take Gailey. Wouldn’t it be better for everyone involved if Gailey went to Alabama? Nobody else wants the job, and nobody else wants Gailey. Since his quarterback boyfriend is graduating, there’s nothing keeping him at Tech.

By Scott

December 6, 2006 11:11 AM | Link to this

You had me up until you start with the ever present racism in your articles…

I’m quite surprised that you haven’t beraded Nabisco for having the ‘white’ cream being the center of attention in an Oreo cookie.

But, as long as you continue to be paid by Cox you will always have a place to spew……

By brian

December 6, 2006 11:15 AM | Link to this

Why would Albama hire Croom knowing that if Croom had Shula’s same record and he was fired that everyone would scream that he was fired because of his color. It is much easier not to hire a coach and here from the media than to hire the coach and then have to fire him because he couldn’t win and have the media scream he wasn’t given a chance to win because of his color. I wonder how mad the media would be if Croom was hired and had Shula’s exact record and was fired by the Tide?

By Ed

December 6, 2006 11:16 AM | Link to this

In my humble opinion, the reason Shula was hired over Croom was simply because Jesse Jackson and his crew were loud in their support of Croom. If they had been quiet, Croom just might have been the coach. That said, do we know how he would have done? Well he has not done very well at MSU. Anyone with any intelligence understands that is not the only mesuring stick. The resources at ‘Bama far outweigh MSU. I doubt they would hire him now, simply because his teams have not been good. They play hard, yet so did Shula’s teams. Just one man’s opinion.

By Tim

December 6, 2006 11:22 AM | Link to this

Yet another journalist takes lazy swipe at Bama. Surprise. When you guys actually have something to say, call me. Until then, can you not occupy your brain with something constructive, like, I don’t know …. conscious thought, perhaps?

By 004

December 6, 2006 11:24 AM | Link to this

Hey Bama! Hire Jeff Bowden! I hear he’s looking for work, and he’s TERRIFIC under pressure…

By Dave

December 6, 2006 11:25 AM | Link to this

This entire article is racist and wreaks of bitterness that an incompetent white coach was hired instead of an incompetent black coach. Neither one should have been hired in 2003, and Croom has done nothing to show that he deserves it now. His MSU squad is no more disciplined than his predecessor’s, the talent level has gone into the tank under his tenure, and other than 2 upset wins against a struggling Florida in ‘04 and a reeling Bama in ‘06 he has done nothing to silence the skeptics. If Rodriguez refuses the Tide, my next phone call would be to Larry Coker. He is as classy a guy as Croom, and unlike Croom, he has proven that he knows how to win as a head coach.

By pv

December 6, 2006 11:28 AM | Link to this

You guys need to get a life.

By Phillip

December 6, 2006 11:30 AM | Link to this

As most everyone has pointed out, Mr. Moore - your arguments do not hold water.

If this has “nothing” to do with race, if you just lined up coaching resmume’s with no “pictures”(i.e. unknown race of each candidate) - no one would pick Sylvester Croom over Rich Rodriquez…They also would not pick Sylvester Croom over a handful of other candidates either. Not that I like or endorse any of these other guys but all would have better resume’s than Croom: Jim Donnan, Chan Gailey(and he’s terrible), Wake Forest’s coach(name??), Bobby Petrino, etc…..for cryin’ out loud, Lou Holtz would be a better selection than Sylvester Croom. I am sure there are 10-20 better choices than ones i listed above and better than Croom. Grow up Terrence!!!

By The True Football Fan

December 6, 2006 11:32 AM | Link to this

Terrance Moore will not be happy until every single person involved in sports is black. You are the worst of racists, Moore. Blacks make up only 13% of the population but 80% of all sports yet that isn’t enough for you. Maybe we need to start a CFL and CB - Caucassian Football and Basketball Leagues - so the white people can have a shot at pro sports. How would you feel about that?

By Ike

December 6, 2006 11:33 AM | Link to this

you could make an argument for why he should’ve been originally hired over Shula…

but to say he should be coach now, after thus far failing to revive MSU’s program, is absurd. Can’t blame Bama for going after a proven head coach.

By chad

December 6, 2006 11:37 AM | Link to this

Most Tide fans are no longer living in the Bear era. Its people like you and the national media that wont let it go. I guess fans are suppose to keep a coach with only 1 winning season out of 4 and losing to their rival 5 straight years. Shula might be a good recruiter, but he’s not a head coach. Croom sucks and I guarantee you he wouldnt last as long at Bama as Shula did…

By Bill

December 6, 2006 11:38 AM | Link to this

I was waiting for this. Our resident racist sportswriter couldn’t wait to pull the race card on this issue - as usual. Moore, what has Croom done? Nothing. Proven winner? No. Nice guy? Probably. Good assistant coach? Probably. Proven winner - Look at Mississippi State. Would I hire him as Head Coach? Not even if he were white - which has nothing to do with anything, except in your mind. Grow up man and get over the Civil War. Give us some responsible journalism.

By mo

December 6, 2006 11:41 AM | Link to this

Wasn’t Croom hired by Miss State three years ago? Many of the recruits weren’t even his for the last few years, right?

Oh, and also was Sylvester Croom more qualified than Shula? Is he STILL more qualified than Rodriguez?

Mississippi State is a school that’s in the crapper. Croom has his hands full down there and it will take a while to turn that school into a powerhouse. Plus, it’s in the SEC- which is the hardest conference to pull a 180.

But what about ‘Bama? They won only one game more than Miss State and they are ALABAMA! Plus, Miss State beat ‘Bama this year.

In short, Croom will turn Miss State around. As storied as his name and his record and reputation is in Alabama, he still can’t get a head coaching job there. He can get a trophy in his honor there, but not an interview.

I wonder why…

By WallStBro

December 6, 2006 11:44 AM | Link to this

Brian and True Football Fan, you guys are bigger idiots than Terrance Moore. If you know anything about TM, he is the biggest openly black hater in journalism. I agree that Croom hasn’t done much in Starkville to warrant another job offer, but why would he want to go to Bama after how they treated him in ‘03?

Hater, as far as blacks being in 80% of sports, you’re right as athletes in FOOTBALL and BASKETBALL only. Blacks are terribly underrepresented in front office and coching positions. Since Croom already has a coaching job, this would be a lateral move, hence not a cry to increase minority numbers.

We all agree that Moore is not the smartest guy in ATL, but let’s not make this be about him promoting blacks, because Lord knows he doesn’t do that.

By Bryan G.

December 6, 2006 11:45 AM | Link to this

Maybe Croom should win more than 3 games in a year before they give him a real job.

By Sammy Kershaw

December 6, 2006 11:48 AM | Link to this

This is the most absolutely ridiculous piece of “journalism” i have ever seen. Why dont you stick to something you know about rather than playing the race card and showing your ignorance.

You have no idea what your talking about you are just mad becasue Croom wasnt hired a 4 years ago and now you see an opportunity to take a cheap shot with no fact only racist opinions to back up your ridiculous claims. Good luck with your “journalism” career.

By in agreement with terence

December 6, 2006 11:50 AM | Link to this

I’m here to say you all can get off Terence’s back about this. Here are three things U. of Alabama folk need to come to grips with:

— Mike Shula was a dud living off his daddy’s good name (Falcons fans will realize that too soon enough)

— Mal Moore and the crew made a mistake by not hiring Croom in the first place

— Bear Bryant is dead and he ain’t coming back

There isn’t a coach in the SEC who would have won with MSU’s talent pool. And though Croom has had two years to recruit, he is pulling from the least talented state in the SEC (flip of the coin with South Carolina).

Here’s your tip: If Hoover High wins another state title, look for Alabama to consider Rush Propst as its coach.

By MACK B

December 6, 2006 11:51 AM | Link to this

crooms is good man and coach but down the road i think he will be the AD AT BAMA HE NOT THE RIGHT MAN FOR FOR HEAD COACH

By Will

December 6, 2006 11:51 AM | Link to this

Doesn’t it say something about Moore’s writing that the text leading to this article has to say, “Without dragging race into the equation”?

By Toby Cash

December 6, 2006 12:08 PM | Link to this

Van Gorder at Georgia Southern would be an ideal candidate.

By TheTruth

December 6, 2006 12:09 PM | Link to this

Why don’t they hire Jesse Jackson?

By Antonio McNugget

December 6, 2006 12:12 PM | Link to this

Here are 3 things “In Agreemtent with Terence” needs to realize.

1. Mike Shula was hired to get Alabama through probation so that once out they could hire a “real” coach.

2. If Mal Moore had hired Croom Alabama would be stuck with Croom unable to upgrade their coach destined for at least 2 more years of mediocrity.

3. Bear Bryant was the greatest college football coach to ever live and there is nothing you can do to change that or make him go away, so deal with it.

thanks for the tip, now why dont you take mine…

By in agreement with terence

December 6, 2006 12:15 PM | Link to this

@ Toby: you’re kidding about Van Gorder, right? The argument against Croom, at least at this blog, is that Croom has won enough, hasn’t pulled up a bad program. VanGorder went 3-8 at Georgia Southern…I’m sure you were kidding though.

By Flannel No.5

December 6, 2006 12:16 PM | Link to this

Notre Dame had a coach who happened to be black. He got fired because he didn’t produce satisfactory results and life went on as always So, it appears the way is clear. Besides, who gives a crap about who coaches Alabama?

By BadgerDawg

December 6, 2006 12:20 PM | Link to this

Will, you are correct…and then you read the article and find he still brings race in, just more subtly than usual. My dad is an MSU grad, and I respect what Croom has done. The best analogy for Dawg fans would be Coach Felton on the bball side. Croom inherited a nightmare, Sherrill only recruited JUCO thugs and cheated every way possible. Croom is bringing the right people in, and I think eventually it will pay off for him with a clean, winning program. Even with the lsoing record, I can tell you my dad is more proud of the program now than he was before. That factor, in addition to a racist outcry if he was let go (from others, not him, his ony color is maroon), is what is buying him time. With that being said, his record to date is not good(he even lost to Tulane this year) and Alabama would be crazy to move on him now. The negative outcry for bringing in a 2-5 win/year coach would be enormous. Did Ala. make the wrong decsion then by not taking him? Yes. Will hiring him now correct it? No. Connection to the university aside, is Rich Rodriguez a much, much better candidate? Yes.

By in agreement with terence

December 6, 2006 12:25 PM | Link to this

@ Toby: you’re kidding about Van Gorder, right? The argument against Croom, at least at this blog, is that Croom has won enough, hasn’t pulled up a bad program. VanGorder went 3-8 at Georgia Southern…I’m sure you were kidding though.

By Bill

December 6, 2006 12:25 PM | Link to this

I posted earlier and have one more comment. Why is everyone feeling so sorry for Sylvester Croom? The man is a Head Coach of an SEC football program - we should all be so lucky! What red-blooded american guy wouldn’t kill for his job? And on top of that, he makes a lot more money than I do living this dream …

Croom is not a proven winner - maybe nobody can be at Mississippi State - time will tell. But he is not qualified to take on the ridiculous pressures of winning at Alabama. Maybe no one is. Mike Shula was clearly hired to be the patsy to get the program through the sanctions imposed by the NCCA - Alabama knew no major coach would take that on (the only one that did went immediately to a strip bar and started drinking after he realized what he had done!) Now that the sanctions are over, and they came real close to the death penalty - they want that name brand coach. It is Alabama that should be on trial here - they really took advantage of and screwed Mike Shula. I think other major coaches will realize this as well and come to the conclusion that the Alabama job is a career killer. Shame on you Alabama!

By SR

December 6, 2006 12:32 PM | Link to this

Terrence….you “arent bringing race into it”…but you use terms like “darker than the bear”??? what does that mean?? umm…duuhhh thats race!!!

By Todd

December 6, 2006 12:33 PM | Link to this

Terrence, WHY DOES EVERYTHING HAVE TO BE ABOUT RACE????? you are beginning to hurt your own cause, your only cause.

By GT

December 6, 2006 12:33 PM | Link to this

Moore likes to stir it up. It is marketing 101. Without Moore what black man is going to read or buy the newspaper. I notice that more than half the callers to sports radio are black and I would assume a few less percentage wise but still a healthy number of readers of the sports page are black and have the same agenda they accuse the whites of having. You know what would really help Moore’s cause? Winning is what you call it. Moore is the champion of black quarterbacks and coaches and on and on. Do you really think if Steve Spurrier was black he would be without a job or if Manning was black he wouldn’t be quarterbacking. People don’t care what color someone is, what they care about is throwing the money away on a loser. Every once in a while Moore might help his cause more by pointing out the poor way a Ball handles himself or that we could do better than the worst team in the SEC with Croon. This kind of press coverage comes with the territory and has been correctly defended by many journalist as healthy in correcting and improving the reality and results of the player or team. As long as you give all a pass there will be a harder road for the next black coach or player. It is like a parent that choices not to discipline the child and then blindly refuses to admit to the mistake later in life when the child has problems. Reality is equal to all of us, how we handle it is what makes winners and losers.

By still in agreement

December 6, 2006 12:33 PM | Link to this

@ Antonio: Call me and Mike Shula what you want, but if he’d beaten LSU or Alabama at least once in his four years he’d still have a job. The bottom line is Alabama had the chance at Croom the first time and chose a lesser coach. Croom shouldn’t want the job until there are changes above him at Alabama. Oh yeah, stop worshipping the dead!

By Tom

December 6, 2006 12:33 PM | Link to this

Croom, deserves the chance … Croom is Bama all they way … he knows the Crimson.

By Billy

December 6, 2006 12:33 PM | Link to this

There’s something that most people need to realize when they talk about Alabama. Bear Bryant has been dead 25 years. Most of the fanbase doesn’t have any memories of Bear Bryant. Of the seven head coaches ‘Bama has had since the Bear, only two of them got fired because they couldn’t win. The rest either left or, in the case of Dubose and Mike Price, were fired for other reasons. I wanted them to hire Croom in 2003, but I doubt this job is as anathema as some want to make it sound.

By it aint important

December 6, 2006 12:36 PM | Link to this

Im sorry, but what had mike shula done, other than be born under that name. He isnt and never will be as qualified as Coach Croom, it never ends with u people!

By Hillary-ous

December 6, 2006 12:38 PM | Link to this

This is the same Croom who’s winning percentage sux. Yeah make him coach. Good call. Terence, your agenda is always transparent.

By Todd

December 6, 2006 12:39 PM | Link to this

Don’t be so sure that Rich Rodriguez won’t take this job. He coaches in Morgantown, WV right now at a program that didn’t appear on the national radar screen before he arrived. If he can recruit to WVU, then I’m pretty sure he can recruit to Bama. In addtion, its more about his system than anything. Plus, Bama is offering 2 million/year than his newly extended WVU contract. Thats something that the folks in Morgantown just can’t afford….AND if Rich doesn’t accept the job, I think there are plenty of other qualified candidates to look at. Just because Steve Spurrier (currently employed), Bobby Petrino (currently employed), and other big name currently employed coaches don’t want to make a lateral move, doesn’t mean that its a crappy job. This is all coming from someone who doesn’t even like Bama. If Sylvester Croom is the answer, I just dont even want to know what the question is. The man has great character and is likeable, but lets be serious. Win where you are at and then we can talk about you.

By 004

December 6, 2006 12:40 PM | Link to this

I agree, Billy. It’s the same thing UGA needs to realize about Hershel Walker. Ain’t comin’ back! Ever! Get over it! If the Roll Tide wants to win games that actually mean something, they need to look outside the typical head coaching recruits. But, if that can’t happen - call Chan Gailey! With the Tech fan base up in arms against him, pull him away from them now.

By Scott

December 6, 2006 12:45 PM | Link to this

One word: Racist…that is referring to Mr. Moore, unfortunately.

One thought: I am thoroughly disgusted with myself for wasting my time reading this garbage.

Final analysis: The world is coming to an end

Logic: people (including me) have aloted time out of their days, instead of spending time with family and/or friends and worthwhile things, for this crap.

I feel like I’ve cheated my family!

By where to send the resume

December 6, 2006 12:47 PM | Link to this

I’ll take the job. I have won championships as a head coach in football, basketball, baseball and softball and would love to have a job making a million a year. All I need to do is hire the offensive coordinator from Louisville and defensive coordinator from LSU, get the tower ready at the practice field and beat Auburn and Tennessee more than they beat me

By mark

December 6, 2006 12:54 PM | Link to this

Flannel- the biggest difference I see with Willingham and Croom is that Croom is down here in the South. See if this situation was happening up North or out West, race would not have even come up. However, since everyone in the South is an impartial, racist redneck, then the only logical reason that Croom didn’t get hired is because of race. It doesn’t matter that there are blacks in broadcasting, athletic directors, coaching, politics, etc. The only thing that matters is that a black guy didn’t get a job at a school that the black community really wanted him to get. Do you think he wants this attention? Do you think that he thinks the reason he didn’t get the job was because of his skin? Why can’t the reason just be the simple fact that it came down to two guys and one didn’t get it? WHY?

By 91nationalchampsLHS

December 6, 2006 12:58 PM | Link to this

I am sure most of the people who are responding to this blog are white and will swear not to have a racist bone in their bodies. Alabama was wrong for not hiring Croom at first. As much as we try not to make it a racist move you can’t help but realize that it was. Alabama is a University that only 40 or 50 years ago would accept Black students. Those type Ideas and principles don’t change over night. What makes any of us think that he would even want the job at Alabama now?

By mark

December 6, 2006 01:15 PM | Link to this

91champs-why is it surprising that school in Alabama before the Civil Rights movement wouldn’t allow blacks in? 50 years ago the t.v. hadn’t even been invented!!! Morehouse College is 95% black (i’m willing to bet the other 5% aint white). The same with FAMU, Spellman, etc. Do you hear an uproar in the white commmunity?? I don’t! Does anyone scream racism when the BET awards, the Hip Hop Awards, the movie awards show honoring black people in entertainment comes on? I don’t! So a black guy didn’t get a job at Alabama, so what! He went to the next racist state (in the eyes of blacks) and got a job. Making race an issue when it’s purely wild speculation (from the black community) only creates more diversity. It’s 2006 not 1956, can we try and get past this?

By bigbelly

December 6, 2006 01:17 PM | Link to this

The folks who always call you a racist no matter what you’re talking about were waiting for an article just like this so they can say “see, I told you so”. But this article was not racist; just pointing out obvious racism. The reason why Croom wasn’t hired at bama is because he’s black, simple as that. It’s so obvious that even the people who always scream race card this and race card that should be able to see it. But they don’t because they are either so naive as to believe racism no longer exist or are themselves bigots at heart. Witness the guy who posted that bama should “hire Jesse Jackson”. Very cute.

That being said, I wouldn’t wish the bama job on Jerry DiNardo; that’s how bad it’s becoming. In 20 years we’ll be talking about bama the way we talk about Army and Navy; how good they USED to be.

By LandDawg

December 6, 2006 01:18 PM | Link to this

Dang, I didn’t know Lester Maddox wrote for the AJC.

By MSU Fan

December 6, 2006 01:19 PM | Link to this

Dear Bama, please take this incompetent bafoon off our hands so your program will go further down the toilet and so we can finally put down the shovel and start climbing out of this hole we’ve dug. Sincerely, MSU

By The Man of the Year

December 6, 2006 01:21 PM | Link to this

If Bama did hire a black coach, anybody who ever dared to criticize the coach would be called a racist … just like anybody who dares to criticize Michael Vick is called a racist.

One more thing: why don’t HBCU football programs ever hire white head coaches?

By Toby Cash

December 6, 2006 01:22 PM | Link to this

I was sort of kidding with Van Gorder going to Alabama. If those people over there had any sense at all, they would look at Paul Johnson(a terrific coach). They probably would not because he runs an offense that is awesome.

By Zo

December 6, 2006 01:22 PM | Link to this

Croom needs to win some games, but apparently he gets a pass for some reason, hmmmmmm. This would be the equivalent of firing Jim Mora in favor of Detroit’s head coach as far as record, etc. TM doesn’t think certain people of certain races should have jobs for some reason. Why would you say Bama was wrong for not hiring Croom? They obviously knew something all the Croom lovers didn’t, he can’t coach real well and has proved it. Not saying Shula was better, but if you only had 2 people interested in the job, since no one cares about Bama anymore, who are you going to take? Honestly….

By Oz

December 6, 2006 01:25 PM | Link to this

As an Auburn fan, I would love for Bama to hire Croom.

By 004

December 6, 2006 01:30 PM | Link to this

MSU hopes they will take Croom off their hands, because it’s not like they can fire him; otherwise, everyone will call foul with the race card.

By Billy C SEC fan

December 6, 2006 01:31 PM | Link to this

I just hope Croom is smarter than Terence. He already has a head coaching job at a SEC school. Why would he want to go to a university that clearly does not appreciate the previous coaches they’ve had since the Bear passed. Coach Croom was a great player there and coach, but he’s agreed to create something better for the MSU fans. As a college football fan I don’t see the Univ. of Alabama as this great place to coach, their fans don’t deserve Croom or anyone else of that caliber anymore.

By bigbelly

December 6, 2006 01:37 PM | Link to this

The head coach at Norfolk State University(HBCU) is white as is the starting qb. Most white students at an HBCU gets a free ride because HBCUs are striving for more diversity.

Nobody jumps on Vick the way Moore does. Go back and read his articles. He bashes Vick more than Joe Buck bashes T.O.

The excuse bama gave for not hiring Croom was that he had no head coaching experience. Then they hire someone with no head coaching experience. You do the math.

By McDonoughDawg

December 6, 2006 01:39 PM | Link to this

Since when did Moore start writing comedy?

By Hmmmm

December 6, 2006 01:40 PM | Link to this

I like the caption for TM’s article on the sports page….”Without dragging racism into the argument…..”. His whole life, not to mention this drivel today is predicated on racism. Moore is a POS and so are his columns. Croom sucks, and not because he’s black.

By GREG

December 6, 2006 01:40 PM | Link to this

i’m getting so sick of this….this coming from an atlanta sports writer.the joke town that still considers micheal vick a super star.croom is not the right choice for the job,not even in the top 10.jim mora sr had to quit his radio job because he was critical of micheal vick.so called political correctness is killing sports…how come we dont hear about the comments micheal irvin made about romo?????

By JP

December 6, 2006 01:41 PM | Link to this

I’m with it. Why not? You can get a whole nother level of player at Alabama than Miss State. Who really wants to coach Bama. To me Croom is the only major college coach who wants the job.

By Bodacious

December 6, 2006 01:42 PM | Link to this

Bama fans can say what they want. Their ignorance toward diversity speaks for itself. They’re righteous in public but have a totally different opinion in private.Can you say Hypocrites? Speaking of Croom, he was placed in a position of having to build a program decimated by a lack of recruiting talent. That wasn’t his fault. He will continue to build upon his recruiting albeit a few more years than other Universities. After all what’s the attraction of going to live in Starkville. The man has too much integrity and stands in a class the Bama boys couldn’t hold a candle to. If Croom did go to Bama, the african-american blue chip talents would flock to him. Auburn would be left by the wayside. Trouble is outside of the larger Alabama cities, the question of skin color is still a way of life and all too prevelant in everyday life.

By travis

December 6, 2006 01:46 PM | Link to this

We think Sylvester Croom would make an excellent choice as head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide. —- signed the Mississippi State fanbase.

By 10th Screet crackhead

December 6, 2006 01:46 PM | Link to this

Fire the yardboy, Terrence Moore and hire Sly Croom to write for the paper, maybe he can achieve something with the pen that he can’t as a head coach.

As far as Terence, he just a black dude what got his job with a P.C. paper which felt the need to hire any black with a chip on their shoulder to placate their guilty liberal conscience.

By ben

December 6, 2006 01:48 PM | Link to this

Having grown up in Alabama, I can assure you that race has nothing to do with the hiring of a head coach at UA. And I don’t understand how Terence can suggest that it does. Oh yeah, maybe the fact that he is black and has to put up with you rednecks having the audacity to call him racist all day and night. Perhaps you missed the Larry Johnson interview on NBC Sunday night when he said he couldn’t trust and play as hard for a white coach. In case none of you rednecks have noticed, black players are the overwhelming majority and the reason your team wins or loses. The number of black coaches in college football is abysmal. It took us 30 years after integration to accept black quarterbacks, even though our white bretren still don’t have an idea of how to coach them. Croom is no worse than half the white names like Jim Mora Jr. that get coaching jobs every year due to their whiteness. You would have said the same thing about Lovie Smith before he was lucky enough to get a chance with a dead franchise. I say “bring the black coaches on”. You can’t judge them if you don’t give them a chance.

By Three Putt

December 6, 2006 01:49 PM | Link to this

Hey, Terrence:

This is the same crooms that has managed a stellar 4 SEC victories in 3 seasons at hapless MState (that’s 4-20 for those keeping score at home). The guy is winning 26.5% of his games. In three years he has proven that he is singularly non-qualified to coach at the D1 college level. He is a pitiful judge of talent. He cannot handle the media or fan pressure. He told his fan base that he didn’t care what they thought about anything. The guy is paid $900,000 a year to slowly learn how to do his job. I salute the Univ. of Alabama for telling him to take a hike four years ago. Doing so did not make those decision-makers racists; on the contrary, it shows them to be very, very wise judges of coaching ability.

By Ryan Stewart

December 6, 2006 01:49 PM | Link to this

Terence thinks every coach hired should be black. What a waste of space this article is. Croom has done NOTHING at Miss State and does not deserve a chance at UA.

By GW

December 6, 2006 01:52 PM | Link to this

Is it the Alabama fans or the administration that doesn’t want a black head coach? I’ll bet the fans wouldn’t care if the coach was purple if he could beat Auburn. The administration is afraid to be put in a position of having to fire a black coach. Alabama would be a great job if not for the schedule.

By Jim from BRLA

December 6, 2006 01:52 PM | Link to this

As MSU alum I want to tell you that I’m glad that Bama chose Shula over Croom. Yes, Sly has one only 3 games per year, but we have seen the evidence this year that the program is turning around (4 losses by 3 pts each). Until the 4th quarter we hung in with WVA, so these guys have to learn to win at State. Jackie won and I think Croom will win with class. One of these days folks will realize that college is about bettering yourself not getting hammered and worrying about your football team. Just for the record…Go to Hell OLE MISS

By GREG

December 6, 2006 01:55 PM | Link to this

ha bodacious????you would think the way you put things,southern and grambling would be the top programs in college football!!!!GET A LIFE BUDDY AND LEAVE ALABAMA OUT OF IT!!!!HE’S NOT THE BEST COACH AVAILABLE!!!

By jc

December 6, 2006 01:55 PM | Link to this

I don’t buy into the racial crap - Shula represented a successful QB at Bama and (I grew up in B’ham as an Auburn fan) ever since Bear died they have mostly relied on “insiders” to get the job done. They made a HUGE mistake passing over Croom in 2003 as it would have put to rest many things AND shut the faithful up because he was an “insider”. Shula was a “golden boy” but may have actually been hired to see the program through probation and now that they’re out they want someone top-notch. The problem is no one who is top-notch wants what Alabama offers - a grand history but nothing special with respect to the rest of the SEC and other top-tier programs in the country. The way Alabama fans tell it is they’ve won X number of NC’s and so why wouldn’t someone want to coach there? Well, just like their history of hiring underqualified alumni who once brushed up against the Bear’s greatness to coach their team, they’re living in the past. The AP doesn’t award NC’s anymore, the BCS does.

By KB

December 6, 2006 01:55 PM | Link to this

Coach Croom would make an excellent hire.

Sincerly,

Mississippi State University

By dawgette

December 6, 2006 02:00 PM | Link to this

So, Croom should get the Alabama job simply because he is black? How racist can you be? Shouldn’t the job, or any job, go to the most qualified candidate who applies regardless of race? Croom has done very little at Mississippi State and the Alabama position is in shambles, why would HE want the job? Because he is black or because he is qualified or because you think he should have it? When did you become an Alabama alumni supporter?

By High Pockets

December 6, 2006 02:00 PM | Link to this

I’m a white, middle-aged ‘Bama graduate and I say Croom should’ve had a chance before Shula, and he should definitely have a chance now. Roll Tide!!!

By Antonio McNugget

December 6, 2006 02:01 PM | Link to this

in agreement with terence Your right sort of, if Shula had “caught lightning in a bottle” as he almost did last year, he wouldnt have been fired. Your wrong about LSU. Maybe auburn would have changed his fate, but fact is he was hired as an “interim” coach. Hiring Croom would have made this impossible and the AD knew it. You dont have to beleive it but its true.

I dont understand this worshiping the dead comment. Facts are Facts and great men shoudl be remembered, no more no less. Jealousy is the best form of flattery. You must be an Auburn fan in which case you have no dead to “worship”

By Post Vascectomy Surgery

December 6, 2006 02:02 PM | Link to this

Hey T,

Sitting here a bit drugged up from Vas surgery. I am a white man, from the north, but I can imagine croom surely never had it easy at Bama as a player. I think Croom is an excellent coach and human being. I could care less about his record at MissState. They are a better program b/c of him, and those boys do play hard for him. He would be great for Bama.

By Alan

December 6, 2006 02:03 PM | Link to this

You sound just like those idiots on ESPN, most of whom never set foot on a playing field or researched Alabama football at all. I suppose you also think that a coach would choose Miami and have to deal with brawls and guns before being able to focus his team on football. Do us all a favor and keep your biased opinion to yourself until you know what you’re talking about.

By Mutt the Hoople

December 6, 2006 02:05 PM | Link to this

You are soooo correct. Alabama WAS racist in not hiring Croom. The only way they can rectify this horrible injustice is to steal Coach Croom from Mississippi State. We understand that Coach Croom was one of B’ar’s boys, that he bleeds Bama crimson, that he’d crawl all the way from Starkville to Tuscaloosa on broken glass shards and take the job for minimum wage.

We at MSU will be heart-broken, but we’ll try to move on.

By Bodacious

December 6, 2006 02:11 PM | Link to this

Greg, Break it down bubba boy. Case in point. I’m as caucasian as you can get. Sorry the truth hurts but it isn’t too hard to draw reality out of your thought process.

By lg

December 6, 2006 02:14 PM | Link to this

news flash….Croom initiated a no compete clause specifically naming bama as a school he couldnt leave and go to.

Not that most of you are dissapointed….but Croom has enough integrity to tell you to kiss off. Seems most of you would have the intelligence to know what you were talking about before you shared.

By Statefan1

December 6, 2006 02:16 PM | Link to this

Speaking on behalf of the MSU Bulldog nation… If the Tide still want Croom, they’re more than welcome to him.

By msudoesn'twantCroomeither

December 6, 2006 02:16 PM | Link to this

You say….

“who recently was fired after three non-winning seasons during his four years on campus.”

You do realize that Shula won more games in 2005 than Croom has in his three years at MSU.

By AJC = Racist Rag

December 6, 2006 02:17 PM | Link to this

I get a kick out of reading your items, TM. You probably have no idea of what a simpering racist you are. Everything you write gets filtered through your black lens. I realize that the AJC desires subscriptions, but is pandering to blacks the way to go? This nation will lose its number one status in the world very soon because of the racist black overlay that blacks place on everything they encounter. Go beyond the color of skin, TM, and see the beauty and worth of all colors.

By Sammy Kershaw

December 6, 2006 02:19 PM | Link to this

Amen Alan

There will be crow to eat when Alabama hires one of these “uninterested” coaches the ragging racist Terence is speaking of

By ChampDawg

December 6, 2006 02:22 PM | Link to this

Terrence— The only ones “dragging race into the equation” thus far have been you and the AJC!!! Whether he be black or white, why don’t you discuss the qualifications of Croom for the Alabama job? “Cause other than the fact that’s he’s black and you feel he was snubbed the first time— he’s got none. His record at Miss State is sure something to be proud of on the ol’ resume, huh!?

By DawgTired

December 6, 2006 02:23 PM | Link to this

It doesn’t matter whether he wants to go to Bama or not…his contract states he can’t leave MSU for another SEC school…end of discussion!

By mo

December 6, 2006 02:26 PM | Link to this

Croom do not have to win one more game and I can still say that the choice of Shula over Croom was a bad hire.

Why???

Because Croom in Alabama fit. He could have recruited better players and he knew the schemes that worked. He would have brought a level of awe and prestige to that organization that would have catapulted that team to even more greatness.

But, alas, Alabama chose Shula… a hire that made sure that Auburn will beat them in recruiting and the entire in-state rivalry.

And as for Croom, in order for him to truly win in that school he would have to recruit better outside his state. Perhaps he should start going hard in Alabama…

He’s a legend there….

By JP

December 6, 2006 02:28 PM | Link to this

Alabama fans are no different than T. Moore, their both racists. Its just the alabama fans try to hide theirs. Hire the man and he will have bama back on top. Every decent player in the state would rather play for him than old Tommy Tuberville any day

By JP

December 6, 2006 02:31 PM | Link to this

And I have a question, What makes the bama job an elite job? They haven’t been good consistently for years so until they are the fans need to calm down and accept what they get. Nobody will ever be the bear, so you guys should let that go.

By pogodog

December 6, 2006 02:31 PM | Link to this

Please,please hire Croom. Some of us State fans will help with Shula’s payout.

By Roger

December 6, 2006 02:33 PM | Link to this

Alabama can chose who they want for the job, Croom has had his work cut out for him at Miss St. since he got there, it was already run down by the predecessor there, even though the record doesn’t show it-Miss St got better as the season went on-Dawgs sure got a scare—I respect him as a coach for taking on a tough job at Miss. State, it’s not like Miss. State is known for it Football talent-This is not a black or white issue though Alabama still can chose who they want to, but Miss St., I think would lose more in the end if he left.

By Alan

December 6, 2006 02:34 PM | Link to this

Hey Terrance, Have you ever considered applying for a job in West Virginia? According to Finebaum, there should be some openings.

By JP

December 6, 2006 02:34 PM | Link to this

Okay i’m p** off with nothin to do. But what made Mike Shula qualified? Can anybody answer that? If you were going on their qualifications before they hired Shula, Crooms’ resume is the best. Am I right or wrong?

By Cairo

December 6, 2006 02:36 PM | Link to this

It is official Terrance Moore has alzheimers! I wonder if the AJC requires mandatory and/or random drug testing?

By OLD COOT

December 6, 2006 02:38 PM | Link to this

Hey JP only morons paint everyone with a broad brush. Morons and racists.

By GT

December 6, 2006 02:46 PM | Link to this

Mississippi State put Moore up to this editorial. What sly bulldogs they are. It’s like having a car with no engine and passing it of as a good vehicle for travel. Whatever they are paying you Terrence my man, we will double. If you can find anyway to pass off Chan to anybody the money will be delivered in a brown envelope and dropped in the same place the State boys always drop theirs. Say you found Chan’s real mother was Lena Horne, and now you understand why Southern Cal wouldn’t hire him, say anything …kinda of like you always do, but please help us

By Carlos

December 6, 2006 02:46 PM | Link to this

Hey Terrance, I am a Alabama native and fan and I disagree brother. Croom needs to prove himself for a job like the UA job. Just think, if he wouldnt have gotten the Miss state job, he would be the leading candidate now. Go figure. Roll Tide!

By OLD COOT

December 6, 2006 02:49 PM | Link to this

When are people who aren’t Alabama fans going to realize, we don’t care what you think, Chris, JP, etc. Go pull for GA Tech and get used to getting your a* kicked by UGA every year!

By Sly Croom

December 6, 2006 02:50 PM | Link to this

My win over Bama was the greatest experience of my life. Walking the same sidelines as Coach Bryant, walking the same halls as Coach Bryant, and taking a dumb in the same toilet as Coach Bryant was extremely emotional for me.

Please Moore, please please please please please hire me as head football coach. I will recruit character, and as I’ve demonstrated at Mississippi State, character wins championships. I already have my staff lined up ready to go.

By Woody

December 6, 2006 02:54 PM | Link to this

You raise an interesting point. Where is the Black Coaches Association the current searches for head coaches? In the past that group has publically called on schools to interview minority candidates. But Miami, Alabama, NC State and Stanford seem to be getting a pass.

By Roswell Ed

December 6, 2006 02:55 PM | Link to this

Sighting:

Mal Moore at the Build-A-Bear in the Tuscaloosa Mall!!!

By Alan

December 6, 2006 02:58 PM | Link to this

I’m still trying to figure out what qualifies you to talk about someones qualifications when it appears to me nobody looked at your qualifications before they started letting you write about things you apparently know nothing about.

By JP

December 6, 2006 03:01 PM | Link to this

Old Coot, the name speaks for itself. You probably think Mike Shula is better coach than his old man. Thats just how bama fans are. All i’m saying is you bama fans are not realistic. Your team is bad and nobody wants to coach there because you all have realstic expectations. Bear Bryant is gone and he aint comin back, Old Fool!

By TC

December 6, 2006 03:02 PM | Link to this

You do no favors for Croom by bringing race into the equation. Maybe if you and few select others would quit talking about color, it would become a non-issue. What really matters is performance (wins), and so far we haven’t seen that at Miss. State. You don’t think Alabama would be interested in Lovie Smith? They would hire him today if they could get him, because he wins. I won’t mention the color of his skin because it doesn’t matter.

By flemdawg1

December 6, 2006 03:05 PM | Link to this

Take Coach Croom, Please.

Take him from Miss. State and save us from having to fire him next year (God willing).

By Jt

December 6, 2006 03:05 PM | Link to this

This is the same Croom that has done NOTHING at Miss State. If I was a Georgia fan, I would want Croom to coach Alabama as well. Your case a few years ago for Croom may have been legitimate, but not any more.

By thisisbiggerthanitshouldbe

December 6, 2006 03:06 PM | Link to this

I am a fan of Alabama football and to be honest with you, I wasn’t too keen on Croom or Shula when the job became available after the Mike Price fiasco. However, those of you playing the ‘PC’ card, i.e., Alabama hired Shula to be an interim coach because they couldn’t have fire Croom lest they upset the PC police, are CRAZIER THAN A CRAPHOUSE RAT!!

Alabama gave the ‘interim’ coach a contract extension this summer!! Do you do that with an interim coach?? ABSOLUTELY NOT!! Fact #1: Neither Shula nor Croom had head coaching experience at the time they interviewed for the job. Fact #2: Croom possessed WAY more coaching experience than Shula at the time they interviewed for the job. Fact #3: Neither man could have stepped into the situation at ‘Bama (probation, scholarship restrictions) and become an unqualified success. In fact, the list of coaches that could have accomplished this is extremely short.

For the record, I think Shula got the job because of his name, much like his brother, David, who was the youngest head coach in NFL history when he was handed the reins of the Bengals. Sadly, he proved that the genius of the father isn’t always passed on to the son. ‘Bama lost a lot of close games this year, largely due to poor decisions and time managment issues (both coaching issues), not a lack of talent.

Croom doesn’t deserve the ‘Bama job simply because he has not been a winner. Frankly, I hope that he is able to build something at MSU because African-American coaches at D1-A schools are as common as solar eclipses!! None of the newly hired D1-A coaches is Black; I haven’t heard mention of any Black candidates for any of the still-open positions. There are qualified coaches out there, both Black and White (and Norm Chow); however, it does bother me when names like Bernie Kosar are mentioned for the Miami job!! The “U” has an excellent defensive coordinator and former ‘Cane in Randy Shannon (yes, he’s Black) and he hasn’t been interviewed for the job!! I don’t call that racism…I just call it stupid!!

GO BUCKS!! CHOMP SOME GATOR A$$!!

By Lance Driskell

December 6, 2006 03:07 PM | Link to this

This is pathetic. This was the first article I have read by you….. and thankfully the last…. You people who (Mr. Moore). If you knew anything about sports you would probably keep your mouth shut. I am tire of reading this crap. If a white person had written this about a black man being hired instead of a white man, calling the decision based on color of skin, the writer would be fired. You people want everthing to be fair, yet you are not willing to be fair. I know there is nothing I can do about the situation of race, but there are along of things I wish I could do. People in your possition could do so much to help society, but you choose to do nothing but hurt it…. BY TURNING BLACKS AGAINST WHITES…. It is not the other way around like your little mind tells you it is…… And for the other low lifes that think that is the case GET A LIFE ……. and as far as that goes A JOB!

By WHO CARES

December 6, 2006 03:08 PM | Link to this

WHO CARES ABOUT ALABAMA? WHAT ON TAP FOR TOMORROW…KENTUCKY, MAYBE AN ARTICLE ON NORTH CAROLINA. RIVETING TERRENCE!

By Steve

December 6, 2006 03:09 PM | Link to this

Terrance, Please seek employment in a business other than journalism. You would be much better at, say, sweeping floors. Just stay off the white tiles.

By JP

December 6, 2006 03:11 PM | Link to this

Old Coot, the name speaks for itself. You probably think Mike Shula is better coach than his old man. Thats just how bama fans are. All i’m saying is you bama fans are not realistic. Your team is bad and nobody wants to coach there because you all have realstic expectations. Bear Bryant is gone and he aint comin back, Old Fool!

By Bodacious

December 6, 2006 03:11 PM | Link to this

Old Coot, True you don’t care what others think. Don’t forget U. of Alabama is currently the Ga Tech equivalent of that state. Gotta go!!!! RUN!!! I can hear the banjo Music getting closer.

By atwown

December 6, 2006 03:15 PM | Link to this

Did I actually see “Not by dragging racism into the equation” next to Moore’s name? Give me a break! He HAS to make everything black/white.

By james

December 6, 2006 03:18 PM | Link to this

The point is no one with any reputation wants to go to Bama, only a young growing coach who wants experience. And, Bama fans do not want that. Unless it is already a winning situation, no coach can just walk into a program and win, win, win. (Florida and Meyer is an exception because he inherited a great situation. But, how many of those exist.) For Croom and Shula it was what was done with what they had and have. The expectations at Bama suggested that a “name” coach (of any experience level) be chosen over a anyone or anything else. UNFORTUNATELY, anything else includes race.
I do not understand how most of you ‘fans’ do not understand that.
Bama fans want a BCS champ right now. MissSt fans want a return to glory and a consistently respectable program. And they deserve it. It takes time in all things. Different expectations breeds different choices.
I do imagine however if Shula had gone to MSU and Croom to Bama, things would have been vastly different.

By Steven

December 6, 2006 03:20 PM | Link to this

Hey Terry, could it be because Crooms’ at MSU record is sub 500, just checking? A mind is a terrible thing to waste…

By Jeff

December 6, 2006 03:25 PM | Link to this

Last I checked Coach Croom hasn’t done anything at Mississippi State. Why should you reward someone for not seceding just because where he went to school, where he coached or the color if his skin. This would be showing our youth bad principles in life. They need to learn that they have to earn something in order to get rewarded.

By Allen

December 6, 2006 03:27 PM | Link to this

I think Croom even though the record isn’t near what it needs to be is not doing a bad job there. You think of whst kind of mess that program was left in when he took it over. His first year, he had to get rid of half the team for dicipline and academic problems. He’s got promising players coming up but they’re young. Look at thier losses this year. Lost only by 3 to UGA, held Auburn close for 3 qtrs, lost to Kentucky by 1, lost by 3 to a OleMiss team that almost beat Arkansas, gave South Carolina all they wanted, I think he’s only a couple of years away from being a winning team. After the mess Sherrill left and the efforts he’s put in so far, I hope he stays at Mississippi State. Bama doesn’t deserve him.

By phlebas

December 6, 2006 03:31 PM | Link to this

Not that I think Croom is right for the Alabama job, but his record at MSU is not necessarily a predictor of how he would do at Bama. Someone look up how successful a coach Gene Stallings was before he showed up there.

By brent

December 6, 2006 03:33 PM | Link to this

Croom gets to play Kentucky every year, and he’s not even beating them.

He’s not good. I had high hopes for him when he got to Miss. St., and was impressed when he knocked off Florida and Kentucky back2back in ‘04.

But now, it is very obvious that he’s not getting it done.

Miss St. should hope that he goes to Alabama, then maybe it can recover and start beating the Tide.

By Bama4Ever

December 6, 2006 03:40 PM | Link to this

Bill you are an idiot…or probably a GA fan I don’t know which is worse. Yeah, Bama sure took advantage and screwed Shula. He is leaving with 4 mil in his back pocket…money he would have NEVER made if he had stayed in the NFL.

By Garndawg

December 6, 2006 03:49 PM | Link to this

Croom is a highly qualified head coach, so says Mr. Moore.

Tell you what, TM, let’s be specific:

Croom started with a wrecked program? Ah, you do realize that he’s been at MSU for three years now, right? That this year’s seniors are the only Jackie recruits left on the team, right? You do realize quite a few of those legacy players are NFL starters now, right? Players like Jerious Norwood?!? We’ll most likely have five more seniors starting on Sundays next year. Tough talent to work with, eh?

Croom can recruit? Tell you what, let’s watch next season and see what MSU does with an entirely Croom-recruited squad. My bet is 3-8, what’s yours?

You say Croom knows schemes that work. Do you like our “West Coast Offense” using only 1 or 2 WR’s? How about that timeout wast..er..usage? Did you notice MSU likes to run a draw between the tackles a lot. Including on eight consecutive 1st downs against KY? Seriously, have you WATCHED a single game of MSU football this year?!?

MSU lost to I-AA Maine at homecoming last year. Maine didn’t break .500 that year. Lost this year to hurricane-wrecked Tulane. And that AFTER Tulane’s #1 RB transferred to MSU just before the season started. That star RB, which, although eligible through an NCAA waiver, didn’t play a DOWN this season for MSU.

Do you realize that both Ron Zook and Mike Shula were fired as a DIRECT result of losing to MSU? I’m not assuming, just quoting those school’s AD’s press conferences.

Please TM, do a little research before starting to cast judgement. Better to be thought a fool, than to open your mouth (or uncap your pen) and remove all doubt.

As for all you Tide fans, take our coach, PLEASE!!

Signed: A very tired, frustrated MSU Bulldog fan

By White Boy

December 6, 2006 03:55 PM | Link to this

This artical showes just how screwed up your life is and how messed up you are. You are a racist and you suck. Croom sucks. If any big coledge hires a black coach they better like him, because you could never fire him. It would be like luggage you have it for life. Why don’t all your black friends get jobs at the post office like the other blacks and ride the government that way. One thing about it you will always be black no matter how much you would like to be white. You are inferior in so many ways you RACIST black idiot

By Kevin

December 6, 2006 03:59 PM | Link to this

I would love sylvester to be the coach. only catch is his contract states he can’t leave the MSU for Alabama. If it is not true somebody tell me, because that is what I read

By JP

December 6, 2006 04:06 PM | Link to this

Okay bama fans, who do ya’ll think will be a good coach for you guys? Nobody wants to coach the tide thats hilarious. Old dumb a** Chan Gailey don’t even want the job. Neither does Rodriguez at WV. So what are ya’ll gonna do, dig up the bear? I personally don’t care because your days of winning championships are over anyway. Your program is not on the level of an LSU, Auburn or even Arkanssas. So what are ya’ll gonna do?

By bill gillispee

December 6, 2006 04:10 PM | Link to this

Croom could not coach High school football. Wow , and I’m not a racist. Go Vick.

By JP

December 6, 2006 04:11 PM | Link to this

Hey White Boy, I can tell you are a tide fan. For one you can’t spell college so I know you didn’t attend one. And every word that you pecked out screamed RACISTS! Roll Tide LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By THE JUICE IS LOOSE

December 6, 2006 04:20 PM | Link to this

Dear Terence I have never really given much credence to any thing you have written, and the basis of your article is good reason. The fact that you would suggest that Crooms was not hired for one specific reason is absurd. Terence I highly suggest you should check your facts before putting things in writing. Now for example why don’t you give us some actual facts of why he was not hired, and please do not speculate. Well let me help, you don’t have any so don’t write about things you don’t know. Terence why is every time we turn around you want to play the race card. I suggest you come back to reality, put the bottle down and just admit Crooms is not head coach. I would be willing to bet that he want last two more years at MS. STATE. With that said maybe you should look into writing for the tabloids or CBS I hear that always fabricate stories. Sir, you are great example of what some people left wing bias media that people really don’t like.

By Matt

December 6, 2006 04:29 PM | Link to this

Croom inherited the worst situation possible in his first head coaching job…..a program BELOW the dumps. For people to say, look at what he has done at MSU, and to gauge him by his W/L record there, is nuts. If bama would have hired him they would’t be in this situation right now but probably mourning over there loss in the sec championship. It is just going to take a while for MSU to rebuild, and if they can…..lookout they WILL be good. All because of CROOM

By DE

December 6, 2006 04:31 PM | Link to this

I can’t wait to see the uproar when Miss State “fires” Croom….Coaches are hired to be fired.

By keeping it REAL !

December 6, 2006 04:31 PM | Link to this

Hell will freeze over .Black coach in BAMA. The tide would roll in hell before that happen bank on that!

By OLD COOT

December 6, 2006 04:32 PM | Link to this

Hey JP,your a freakin riot. Isn’t there a million man march you can go to, or how bout a nation of islam rally?

By Lynn Mitchell

December 6, 2006 04:33 PM | Link to this

I don’t guess the fact that you are darker than the “Bear” has anything to do with you writing such an article.

By KEVIN

December 6, 2006 04:34 PM | Link to this

here is a question for all of you who raise the issue of winning at Mississippi State and Coach Croom, where had Mike Shule won at before he was hired at Alabama? How about Gene Stallings or Dubose? NOWHERE!!!! Sometimes you hire for the character of your program or because if given support, one guy could make a difference at your program!!!! Give the man a chance, hell he at least deserves that much!

By Bamavike

December 6, 2006 04:34 PM | Link to this

This is not 1965. Nobody cares is someone is darker than the other (well besides you). Croom is about to get fired at MSU, why would we want a failed soon to be fired wash up.

By Scott Batson

December 6, 2006 04:35 PM | Link to this

Terence,

You really owe it to your audience to be more informed on something you’re writing about. You are way, way off on this. As a writer, you should take your job more seriously, and your readers should call you out when the facts are either blatantly wrong, or missing entirely.

I’m certain you feel Coach Croom would have been a better choice in 2003, and maybe he would have. But you’re not reporting the facts here about the ongoing search.

Someone in your position should have better sources than this, but I’m not surprised. You’ve never let your own opinion and misgivings get in the way of the facts.

By matt

December 6, 2006 04:35 PM | Link to this

Terrance: It is one thing to have a stupid opinion. However, the assertion that Rich Rodriguez is not genuinely interested in the Alabama job is just flat out irresponsible journalism. The fact that you have to bring race into every article you right is also unfortunate but at least you could back it up with actual facts gained through reliable sources as opposed to saying whatever makes it easier to throw out the race card…again. You are going to look like a total jackass in the next few days when Rich Rodriguez accepts the Bama job and you will look like an even bigger jackass when Bama demolishes an unimproved MSU team next year.

By Tracy Johnson

December 6, 2006 04:42 PM | Link to this

Dear Sir,

I just found your column while doing a quick search for another coaching snafu at my beloved U of A. You know what? You’re completely right - Alabama should have hired Sly Croom. I became excited when his name was brought up a few years ago. I then became saddened when they passed him by for Mike Shula. Both ‘Bama boys, yes. Both in the now infamous “family”. Both with coaching experience, yes. But Croom’s credentials more than overshadowed Shula’s. And his leadership ability has been evident since he stepped on the field in Starkville. Unfortunately, he’s the coach of a team with much less talent and much less appeal to new recruits than most teams in the SEC. ‘Bama screwed up four years ago. And the tradition continues….. Even if they asked, Croom should tell them “no”. I’m a white man in the deep south. I’ve seen it all when it comes to matters of racial tension and racism. Many of my best friends growing up were black guys and girls. My favorite and best coach was a black man. My second favorite was white. Doesn’t matter. All the same. But, not so at the Capstone. It’s a shame.

Thank you for your point of view.

Sincerely,

Tracy Johnson Florence, Alabama

By D

December 6, 2006 04:45 PM | Link to this

You need a new job, you are so off base in just about every article that you write. Question, why do you think you know so much about sports, have you ever played professional sports or even college sports before and have you ever even lived in Alabama? I think the only reason you were hired is because they needed to feel thier quota.

By Rob

December 6, 2006 04:47 PM | Link to this

I’m a Mississippi State fan.

Take him. Please.

By Sick of the Tide bashing.

December 6, 2006 04:51 PM | Link to this

Once again people trash the Bama Nation. Didn’t Ga have some crappy years under an under-qualified coach. Ray Goff. What about Notre Dame? Bob Davie. Auburn fired Tommy Bowden after he led them to an undefeated season. All it takes is the right person and with the facilities and talent at Alabama we will return to prominence. Stallings did it. Seven years. 70 wins. Not bad. To bring race into it is retarded. Thanks once again for your ignorance Terrance. Talk to me about how horrible the Tide job is after we beat Ga. next year. Croom is a good man and was a great player at Bama. But lets face it. Neither he nor Shula were the right man for the job. They were just all we had then. The situation is diffrent now. No probation. Talent in the cubbard and the best facilities in the SEC. Been to Bryant Denny lately. Not a better atmosphere anywhere. So stop bad-mouthing the Bama fan base because we are fanatical. Loyalty and passion is not a crime. Oh yeah. Thanks for the alert on the Bear. I didn’t realize he was dead. I’ll go cry now. What a bunch of morons.

By John the Handsome

December 6, 2006 04:53 PM | Link to this

I agree we should take that good man. Come on folks, nobody can win at Mississippi St. Kids don’t want to go there because who will see them play? What have we got to lose? Give the man the job. He cannot be any worse that my last few years of avoiding my Auburn friends. If he don’t make it, fire him in four years. By the way, I’m a honky.

By Andre Croom

December 6, 2006 04:57 PM | Link to this

My father would make an excellent coach at The Capstone. He would win at least twice as much there as he did at Mississippi.

By True Dawg

December 6, 2006 04:59 PM | Link to this

I get tired of hearing all this racial s**. People will throw racism into anything. I agree with Mark, noone says anything about the all black colleges. This would not even be an issue if it was a northern team.

I think Croom needs to stay put. He has a good thing going for him now. Alabama needs a coach that will completly re-do the team. Starting with the coaches. It does not matter if the coach is purple it will take more than a name to change this program around.

Terence, thanks for the racial stir. Thats what everone needs. Say hello to brother Jackson for me.

By Bodacious

December 6, 2006 05:03 PM | Link to this

Read between the lines. The Crimson Tide Alumni Association can’t handle but one color. Thats what Daddy and Mamma taught them. They’ll tell you “By God that’s just the way it is”. The only way they’ll hire a black coach is if he’s escorted into the university by the national guard. You can tell the ones who are generally the most rascist. They’re the ignorant fools who have a copy of Talledega Nights waiting for them under the tree. Hey Baby, bring me a beer. hyuck,hyuck.

By Rock

December 6, 2006 05:07 PM | Link to this

Your articles are loaded with such pertinent information it’s almost difficult to tell that your such a well educated sports writer working for the AJC. I can only assume by now you have turned down your job offers with New York Times and USA Today. Maybe I missed the point of the article but let us all remember ‘92 as far as national titles go Alabama has not been down that long, which makes the program still highly respected. For a program that has fallen you need to look no further than Miami. No facilities. No coach. No money. Alabama on the other hand has all the resources and ammenities a coach could ever wish for. Most schools are lucky to see one national championship well needless to say twelve speaks volume. Keep up the good writing Moore you never cease to amaze and I’m sure Atlanta is truly grateful for your dedication and hard work. DISGUSTING.

By Bodacious

December 6, 2006 05:07 PM | Link to this

You realize the tooth brush was invented in Alabama otherwise it would have been a teeth brush.

By DogFan

December 6, 2006 05:14 PM | Link to this

Please, by all means. Take him

By cuz

December 6, 2006 05:21 PM | Link to this

You are terrible. Why is it that you continue to have a job commenting on a subject that you know nothing about, except what you have heard on that joke of a network, ESPN. You and they are so wrong about Bama, it makes me wonder what other BS you spew out concerning subjects that I don’t know you are wrong about. Journalism is going down the drain. You can’t believe anything you read anymore. Truly sad.

By james

December 6, 2006 05:35 PM | Link to this

Well…exactly who do you ‘fans’ think is the best person for the job at bama?

By Jerry

December 6, 2006 05:43 PM | Link to this

Croom’s a dumb n**** who can’t coach. See 1-7 SEC record this year. All he wanted to do was beat BAMA and he did because Mike Shula’s a dumbass.

And you’re a dumb n**** who can’t write or formulate a good thought.

By Jim

December 6, 2006 05:43 PM | Link to this

My IQ just dropped 30 points after reading this article. Thanks.

By james

December 6, 2006 06:01 PM | Link to this

funny…the word race brings ‘em out every time.

By Roswell Ed

December 6, 2006 06:08 PM | Link to this

Jerry the KLAN meeting was last night!!

Or is your name Michael Richards???

By dale in newnan

December 6, 2006 06:10 PM | Link to this

Terence moore sucked yesterday. Terence moore sucked today. Terence moore will suck tomorrow. if he was prohibited from making inane racial conspiracy theories he would be a car hop at the varsity. he is a glowing example of why liberalism is a collosal failure. No merit. No talent. No hope. he is the black eqivalent of the southern cracker. Useless. Ignorant beyond belief. And soon to be a whisper in time. Thank God for that.

By Roswell Ed

December 6, 2006 06:10 PM | Link to this

Wake up people:

TM isn’t paid on quality. He’s paid on the quantity of people he can p** off.

By Roswell Ed

December 6, 2006 06:14 PM | Link to this

Wake up people:

TM isn’t paid on quality. He’s paid on the quantity of people he can p** off.

By kirby

December 6, 2006 06:20 PM | Link to this

Sly is a good man but a far cry from what this university needs to get back to dominance. I think african americaan coaches argument would be stronger in these cases if not for Jesse,Al,and you my friend trying to pressure someone to hire a coach beacuse he is black helping to destroy his chances along the way. Several coaches black or white would be fine at Alabama but Croom cant win look at his resume from Miss State. I would like Denny Green or Ozzie Newsome but No No No to Croom.

By Tyrone

December 6, 2006 06:21 PM | Link to this

You sound like Jessie Jackson. Trying to keep the white man down.

By Thankful

December 6, 2006 06:29 PM | Link to this

Mr. Moore, thanks for the interest. I forwarded this article to Mal Moore. He said you’re spot on. He is now on a plane on his way to hire Croom. He wanted me to tell you that he greatly appreciates the info.

By tlue

December 6, 2006 06:32 PM | Link to this

this text wil be boldedI can’t believe that you would even think that Croom will be better. What has he done for MSU? NOTHING. By the way, Alabama is still an elite program with some issues and they will overcome that. There will be no more Bear Bryant’s maybe but you atleast have to compete in the conference, win the conference every once in a while. How did they treat Gene Stallings? Perfectly fine. four coaches in 6 years? Well, let’s see….Dubose needed to go…Francione left on his own….Mike Price had to go(how would it look if Alabama would’ve let him coach after they were already on probation? That’s real impressive to the NCAA.”….Shula’s record?? enough said. Last year they were writing Bama’s back and talking about what such great program Bama is…now you all are stuck on stupid. Match your school up to Bama. On the field, a lot of schools are playing catch up. They’ve had a couple of down years and are still on top of most programs. Success will come soon…Don’t worry about that….It sounds to me as if this was a black/white thing and I’m African American….so tired of hearing this race card being pulled… Get over it, move on. When there’s a legit black coach out there, they’ll be picked up. I like Willingham. Is he available? Nope.

By Big Daddy in D'ville

December 6, 2006 06:33 PM | Link to this

Whatever Terrance, at the end of the day Bama will still suck.

By jim

December 6, 2006 06:33 PM | Link to this

What planet is Terence Moore on? I think he is pushing is black agenda, but the records speak for themselves. Shula’s record is bad with bad play calling - there is no doubt. Sylvester’s record is worse with just as bad play calling as Mike’s, if not worse.

By tlue

December 6, 2006 06:37 PM | Link to this

Also….Gailey will not be an option… ALABAMA wants to move forward, not in reverse. Moore, I would like to see what you’ll be writing next year. Bama has the talent, but didn’t have the coaches. I do thank Shula for being a class act and bringing in great recruits…A coach, not yet.

By Rusty

December 6, 2006 06:45 PM | Link to this

I’m a Tennessee fan, and I would be happy for Alabama to hire Croom. It would ensure at least one SEC win for the Vols every year.

By tlue

December 6, 2006 06:48 PM | Link to this

**By the way, how many Championships Georgia has? How man SEC championships? How many bowl wins? What about the rest of the SEC schools? How about the GREAT OHIO STATE? Enough Said. CATCH UP!

By LISTEN TO THIS GUY

December 6, 2006 06:48 PM | Link to this

PLEASE LISTEN TO THIS DUDE HIRE CROOM HE WILL TAKE ALABAMA BACK TO THE PROMISED LAND HE IS EVERYTHING YOU COULD POSSIBLY WANT IN A COACH PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE HIRE SYLVESTER CROOM!!!!!!!!!111111111

By Harry A Jacobs

December 6, 2006 06:57 PM | Link to this

Terence, you are the only sports writer in the country that has mentioned Croom to coach Bama. Why is that? I am an extremely liberal non-racist person, and this just reeks of prejudice.

I am no longer able to defend you because your position is untenable. I give up! When you thought about the Bama position being open, did you automatically default to a black coach. If so, admit that you are a prejudiced writer.

Yes there are too many idiots on this blog, but I am seriously also looking at you. I am so disappointed in you.

By Harry A Jacobs

December 6, 2006 07:01 PM | Link to this

testing

By matt

December 6, 2006 07:04 PM | Link to this

I sure pray that Rich Rodriguez will show his loyalty to West Virginia and stay as their head coach, because he is the one who can get WVU to the level it needs to be and prove that WVU is just as good as all these “top notch teams and confrences”.

By MOC

December 6, 2006 07:09 PM | Link to this

Croom would be an excellent choice. No one ever wins big at MSU. Recruiting is so so hard there.

By Sautee Dawg

December 6, 2006 07:17 PM | Link to this

Some people can’t seem to let go of the past, and embrace the present time for what it is. University Presidents and Atlethic Directors are driven by money. Alumni fork out big bucks and they want a coach that has proven he can win. And that’s the bottom line, everyone knows it, it has nothing to do with skin color or character of a man. If Alabama football were looking for a coach with character they should have kept Bill Curry!!

By Matt

December 6, 2006 07:32 PM | Link to this

Terence Moore, you my friend are incompetent in every way. No one at Bama wants a coach who, well, can’t coach. Shula was actually a decent coach who did a fine job bringing the program through the NCAA sanctions. As a student at UA and a part of the Tuscaloosa community, we want a proven winner, and with Rich Rodriguez or Nick Saban (yes, he is in the mix), we get a guy with BCS experience, and a guy who can take a proud and prominent program and get it to the top. Croom is a decent guy, a decent coach, but Bama is the highest echelon in college football. I remember when Notre Dame was a having a tough find finding a coach, they went after a champion, and wham- instant success.

If Bama gets a guy like Rodriguez or Saban to come onto a team that is loaded for next year, especially on offense, you will eat your words. Croom isn’t a winner yet, and until he gets his team to at least a Bowl game, he doesn’t have a snowball’s chance in hell at getting the job he so covets.

By Kirby Ingram

December 6, 2006 07:36 PM | Link to this

Yeah Terrance, that makes a lot of sense, hire a coach that has had three consecutive losing seasons and just went 3-9 (9-25 overall). Please tell me what “coaching” credentials he has that merits the Alabama head coaching job. Since I am a UGA fan and we are playing Alabama the next two years, I for one hope that the Alabama faithful listen to you. “SIGN COACH CROOM UP!”

By wonderinoutloud

December 6, 2006 07:39 PM | Link to this

Alabama could hire Joe Hamilton as its coach cause he can’t announce games worth a damn

By jim

December 6, 2006 07:46 PM | Link to this

I said it the other day, “wonder how long it will take T. Moore to say Alabama needs to hire Croom?” SO PREDICTABLE….I wonder Terrance, if Croom was white, would you be saying this? Croom simply does not deserve the job of this high profile because he has done NOTHING to improve his team as a head coach. Say it’s Miss. St., but look at Wake Forest, Rutgers, etc. and tell me they were not LESSER programs that could turn it around. Even Miss St. has played in past SEC championship games, but not with Croom. Your playing the race card as always without merit. Guess what that makes you? Starts with an R and ends with a T. Do you realize that 99% of normal, logical people that read your columns after a while can read right through your BS.

By Novara

December 6, 2006 07:49 PM | Link to this

Matt, I applaud your unreasonable thinking. What winning bowl coach do you think would give up the “good life” to go to UA in it’s current and post-Bear condition? Maybe if I was a UA student I would be lost in this whimsical world of stupidity, but you must get real.

Bama hopefully will hire a mediocre coach who has character and can build a winning team in 4-5 years. Get real and honestly think about it.

By DJISTHEGREATESTQBEVERTOPLAYINTHEHISTORYOFFOOTBALL

December 6, 2006 08:12 PM | Link to this

Hey Moore, Jesus Christ you’ve been tossing the race card around for 20 years. That how you keep your job. The token AJC brother. Frankly, I think Croom doesn’t deserve Bama….He’s a much better man than that. But you being in his camp does him no good. The man is forever keeping a brother down huh T? LOL

By Chris

December 6, 2006 08:13 PM | Link to this

I love how the teaser for this article on the Sports page carries the disclaimer, “Without dragging race into the equation.” At least the editors and webmasters at ajc.com know what everyone has come to expect of Mr. Moore.

I almost didn’t want to read the article with Mr. Moore having left out the best part of his brand of “reporting.” You disappoint me once again, Mr. Moore.

By BAMABIRD

December 6, 2006 08:20 PM | Link to this

Well said Mr. Moore. And to think some RED NECK had the nerve to call the paul finebaum show and say that croom was probably the only coach in the SEC that was a worse coach than shula. PLEASE, did COACH CROOM not come to TUSCALOOSA where I live and beat mike shula with a less talented team? Hello! Yes he did. Croom should have gotton that job first and foremost.Although Croom had no head coaching experience, he was still more qualified than mike shula.If I was Croom I would’nt dare coach this pathetic organization (yes i did say organization, because alabama football “aint nothing but a business” run with 1950’s standards. No black coach? thats ok, like to see ya with NO BLACK PLAYERS!!!!!!!! peace

By Doug Hardin

December 6, 2006 08:21 PM | Link to this

Some of you folks need to get your facts straight before you write. For the person who said TV had not been invented 50 years ago, I guess that in 1951 I was staring at the radio with a vivid imagination. The first black student enrolled at the UofA was Arthurine Lucy in February of 1956. The best I can recall, she attended classes for three days. It was not until 1963 that two other black students enrolled at the UofA. They were Vivian Malone and James Hood. I am sure that the color of any coach would not be an issue.

By Chris

December 6, 2006 08:22 PM | Link to this

Oh, nice shot you took at Alabama fans, Mr. Moore. I guess all Tide fans would be a whoopin’ and-a hollerin’ if a guy who was “darker than the Bear” became their coach.

And, Mr. Moore, can you offer some actual reasons why Mr. Croom should be allowed to coach Alabama? Beginning in 2003, Mississippi State has gone 11-35 over teh past 4 seasons. Yeah, this guy sounds like exactly the right person to raise Bama from the depths. So, Mr. Moore, with race NOT being an issue, why should Bama even considering looking up Croom’s number in the ol’ Rolodex?

By Steve T

December 6, 2006 08:22 PM | Link to this

This is the same Croom who was born and raised in Tuscaloosa and won SEC championships as an All-America player under The Bear. This is the same Croom who spent much of his 11 years as an assistant coach at Alabama under the Bear.

In the past, if you played at Bama, or coached at Bama, you would get the job. The guy play for the Bear. Why did just Gene Stalling get the job? He play for the Bear. Croom played for bama and the bear. Croom coached with the bear. He should have been a shoe in.

Here is a fact, Bama will not reach the level it has in the past until they hire Croom.

By midniterider

December 6, 2006 08:25 PM | Link to this

One mame Paul Johnson cant believe no big school has pulled there head out of the sand to see hes a winner anywhere he gose 9 wins this at navy get it navy they could not win 6 games with r staubach at qb hes won every year there thats a proven winner

By Chris

December 6, 2006 08:37 PM | Link to this

midniterider, you must be a Bama fan, judging by spelling and sentence structure. Good luck there, buddy.

By brad in KY

December 6, 2006 11:51 PM | Link to this

Isn’t MSU on probation also? If this is the case, then it further explains why Croom would have trouble winning consistently. I mean, if the big, bad SEC is really that tough, then coaching an MSU team on probation should make it just about impossible to win.

By brad in KY

December 6, 2006 11:59 PM | Link to this

MSU Probation

So I looked it up…MSU was placed on NCAA probation due to infractions committed under Jackie Sherrill. Punishment included reduction in scholarships last year and this year as well as a reduction in on-campus recruiting visits. Oh, and a postseason ban for one season, but that’s not really an issue at MSU…At any rate, this explains in part Croom’s struggle to win at MSU and suggests that wins and number of bowl appearances are most likely not an adequate measure of his performance. In those circumstances, at a place like MSU, it’s just about survival and pulling off the occasional upset.

By surfrider

December 7, 2006 01:18 AM | Link to this

The Crimson Tide should hire Tech’s Chan Gailey, that’s right Gailey. They are meant for each other. Two peas in pod. And Gailey can take his offensive staff with him. However, the defensive staff should stay at Tech and be promoted.

By GaSouthAlum

December 7, 2006 03:03 AM | Link to this

Someone mentioned Van Gorder? Please, Santa, all I want for Christmas is a triple option coach back in Statesboro. Then maybe we will have a chance to compete again in the Southern Conference.

By Kieran36

December 7, 2006 08:44 AM | Link to this

I love it…You all get mad b/c Mr. Moore here pulled the race card. Do you see that advertisement on the right hand side of the page? Thats the reason Mr. Moore threw race into the issue. It got all of us into a tizzy and we will keep coming back. I mean c’mon…even ol’ Terrance knows that Croom won’t go to Alabama b/c Miss. St. was awful. Then again the SEC ain’t a walk in the park, esp when you are on probation…

By Toby Miller

December 7, 2006 09:02 AM | Link to this

None of your reasons for Croom Becoming Head Coach at Alabama had nothing to do with coaching football- the man has 3 wins each year for four years at MSU! That is his reume sir - not the color of his skin!

By Mtneer001

December 7, 2006 09:31 AM | Link to this

That is a great article. I concur that Croom would do a fantastic job.

He is doing all he can at Mississippi State, but it appears they do not have the total resources to get it done.

Good luck to Coach Croom where ever he ends up.

By bobby

December 7, 2006 09:34 AM | Link to this

Typical Terrence Moore BS.

By bigd

December 7, 2006 09:52 AM | Link to this

Terence, If you can get paid to write b****** like this article…you must have been the token black hired because of a QUOTA!

By texas gator

December 7, 2006 10:11 AM | Link to this

Why would anyone want to go from on losing program to another?

By Yvette

December 7, 2006 11:10 AM | Link to this

It is amazing that some of you can’t see what is right in front of you. It is very convenient for non-blacks to call Terrence a racist, when the fact of the matter is Croom was passed over for a guy with NO head coaching experience. Can you and Bama explain that? Croom may not be setting MSU on fire, but at least he has experience and a track record. I don’t know what to say about some of you guys; racism is alive and well in American today, and it’s sad that some people refuse to see it.

Virginia girl

By Blue Fox

December 7, 2006 12:28 PM | Link to this

Maybe Croom would be interested in shifting to GIT to replace Gailey …is the AD listening to the masses??

By Daniel Carver

December 7, 2006 12:47 PM | Link to this

I’m surprised Terence didnt mention Ken Griffey Jr in this article.

P.S. Terence you SUCK on Jim Rome, just like he does. Next time stay out in Cali and dont come back.

By Charlie Voss

December 7, 2006 05:36 PM | Link to this

Let’s hope some of these “children” will someday study a little history and learn what the great sportswriter Grantland Rice had to say about the game. Maybe then they will see the light and go back to playing REAL football; that is developing young men to better prepare to meet their futures. As to the “Bear” being the absolute greatest, I wonder if Texas A & M still holds him in that regard? It has been a long time fellows,but his record was tainted too. All you have to do is examine the complete record. There have been and will continue to be many very fine coaches devoted to the game in this USA .Some in JR Highs, High Schools, Colleges, and the Pros - my all time favorites? - I would have to go for Jess Neely of Rice University and Eddie Robinson of Grambling. It seems to me they were coaches who concentrated much more on developing young men than just winning the game. The results? How about outstanding, all the time winning and/or losing! Believe it !

By Charlie Voss

December 7, 2006 05:37 PM | Link to this

Let’s hope some of these “children” will someday study a little history and learn what the great sportswriter Grantland Rice had to say about the game. Maybe then they will see the light and go back to playing REAL football; that is developing young men to better prepare to meet their futures. As to the “Bear” being the absolute greatest, I wonder if Texas A & M still holds him in that regard? It has been a long time fellows,but his record was tainted too. All you have to do is examine the complete record. There have been and will continue to be many very fine coaches devoted to the game in this USA .Some in JR Highs, High Schools, Colleges, and the Pros - my all time favorites? - I would have to go for Jess Neely of Rice University and Eddie Robinson of Grambling. It seems to me they were coaches who concentrated much more on developing young men than just winning the game. The results? How about outstanding, all the time winning and/or losing! Believe it !

By Don

December 7, 2006 10:14 PM | Link to this

Terence, you incompetent racist, the Birmingham News reports tonight that Rodriguez has agreed to be the next Alabama coach. After he tells his West Virginia team tomorrow he will be introduced as the next Alabama coach.

I’m sure we’ll see an acknowledgement from you that you were wrong as usual.

Not.

How many hours do you put in a week slapping together a couple of columns and a blog? Maybe 10?

By CeeG

December 7, 2006 10:42 PM | Link to this

Good article T, I’m sure you know the truth is painful to some. And for those who claim racism, that is laughable since that requires power!!! But anyway, what do we have to do T to get a real chance. Don’t you think if Randy Shannon were white he would have had that job the day after Coker was canned!!! He had no choice but to take the job even after being humiliated like that. Like John Thompson said, “just give us a chance to fail!”